Report Title:

Budget; Grant‑in‑Aid; Hawaii United Okinawa Association

 

Description:

Amends an appropriation for fiscal year 2006‑2007 to the Hawaii United Okinawa Association.  (HB3279 HD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

3279

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to the hawaii united okinawa association.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Hawaii United Okinawa Association is a non-profit organization certified to be tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  It was established in 1951 and serves as the umbrella organization for 50 member clubs statewide.  The member clubs comprise approximately 40,000 members, whose ancestors immigrated to Hawaii from the same region in Okinawa.  The goals of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association are to promote, preserve, and perpetuate the Okinawan culture, enhance awareness of the Okinawan culture and heritage in Hawaii through education, and provide community services.  One of the association's most significant events is its two‑day Okinawan Festival at Kapiolani park that attracts over 70,000 people annually.  More than 1,000 volunteers help to stage this festival.  The association also hosts the Children's Cultural Day Camp that provides two weeks of classes for over 80 students annually.

     The Hawaii Okinawa Center is the headquarters of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association.  Built in 1990, the center serves as a living tribute to the Okinawan immigrant pioneers who began arriving in Hawaii in 1900.  The center provides space for cultural classes regarding performing arts, language, children's education, and international exchange and is open for the use and enjoyment of the general public, as well.  Since it is one of the few large venues in the area, the center provides families, schools, and organizations with space for meetings and banquets.  It is also the venue for numerous other community activities, seminars, and civic events.

     However, the needs of the association and its member clubs have exceeded the available space at the center.  Additional space is necessary for the association and its committees and member clubs to hold efficient meetings, such as the Okinawan Festival's planning meeting.

     The association has purchased over 86,000 square feet of property directly across from the center and plans to develop the new property to meet the present and future expanding needs of the association.  The association plans to use the new property to provide additional office space and parking; develop local adult day care and pre‑school programs; construct a commercial kitchen for use by member clubs to reduce dependence on outside vendors and help sustain the cost of the association's other activities; and house Okinawa‑related businesses that help member clubs by maintaining and promoting contact with Okinawa by:

     (1)  Coordinating student exchanges and visits by Okinawan dignitaries; and

     (2)  Promoting the annual Okinawan Festival to the mainland and abroad.

     Based on the foregoing, a grant to the Hawaii United Okinawa Association for the purchase of land relating to the expansion of the Hawaii Okinawa Center will support their activities and permit the community to benefit from those activities.  The legislature finds and declares that a grant to the Hawaii United Okinawa Association under this Act is for a public purpose, is in the public interest, and is for the public health, safety, and general welfare of the state.

     SECTION 2.  Act 178, Session Laws of Hawaii, 2005, as amended by Act 160, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006, is amended by repealing section 5, part B, item 6.01.

     ["6.01. HAWAII UNITED OKINAWA ASSOCIATION, OAHU

 

          LAND ACQUISITION FOR EXPANSION OF THE HAWAII OKINAWA CENTER IN WAIPIO GENTRY.  THIS PROJECT QUALIFIES AS A GRANT, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 42F, HRS.

          LAND                                        1,600

            TOTAL FUNDING         LBR           C     1,600 C"]

     SECTION 3.  Act 178, Session Laws of Hawaii 2005, as amended by Act 160, Session Laws of 2006, is amended by adding a new item to section 5, part H, to read as follows:

     "16.03. HAWAII UNITED OKINAWA ASSOCIATION, OAHU

 

          LAND ACQUISITION RELATED TO THE EXPANSION OF THE HAWAII OKINAWA CENTER IN WAIPIO GENTRY.  THIS PROJECT QUALIFIES AS A GRANT, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 42F, HRS.

          LAND                                        1,600

             TOTAL FUNDING        AGS            C    1,600C"

     SECTION 4.  Act 178, Session Laws of Hawaii, 2005, as amended by Act 160, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006, is amended by adding a new section to section 6 to read as follows:

     "SECTION 95.2.  Provided that the general obligation bond fund appropriation for the Hawaii United Okinawa Association, Oahu, Item No. 16.03, shall be administered by the state foundation on culture and the arts."


     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.